Illyanna's eyes lit up like fireworks as she looked at me, her excitement bubbling over. "Was the guild quest fun, Max? I heard about something called a Land Crawler. What is it?" she asked, her energetic voice tinged with curiosity.
Lucianna, my close friend who's always been prideful but charming, turned to me with the same interest, her eyes wide and attentive.
I smiled, recalling our adventure. "It was a nasty giant lizard that could use magic, especially Illusion magic. Dad and I were lucky to survive. It was extremely strong and smart, using illusions to trick us. And it had sickles like fingers to attack us!"
"That's extremely dangerous indeed!" Illyanna exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
Lucianna remained silent, her eyes never leaving me, absorbing every detail of the story.
I continued, "The Land Crawler could even turn invisible and use Destruction magic!"
Lucianna choked on her drink, her eyes widening even further. "How is a wild animal that strong?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I have no idea," I replied, "but Dad explained that it might be due to exposure to high-density mana in its surroundings. Kind of like evolving."
Illyanna's eyes sparkled again. "How did you and Dad defeat it?"
I smirked, enjoying their rapt attention. "We used our wits to survive the battle. With various traps and trickery, the overgrown lizard was no match for the power of the Fiora family."
"That's amazing, Max!" Illyanna cheered, her face glowing with admiration. "Can I be strong like you in the far future?"
I grinned, ruffling her hair playfully. "Of course you can!"
Lucianna continued to watch Illyanna and me, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks. The joy of sharing our adventure with those closest to me, seeing their reactions, feeling their support, made everything even more special. It was a simple moment, but one filled with warmth and connection, a memory I would treasure forever.
From the other table, the animated chatter of voices suddenly erupted into a shout. It was my mom, Laussinna, and her voice rang out clear and sharp, filled with disbelief. "All of us?!"
My little sister Illyanna, my close friend Lucianna, and I all jumped, our heads snapping towards the other table. I could see the surprise on the faces of other people in the room as they gazed at my mom.
Quickly, my dad, Antrodos, pulled her down to sit again, his face calm but his eyes wide. The room settled, and everyone went back to their merry ways, but the tension lingered.
Illyanna looked at me, her eyes round with curiosity. "What were Dad, Mom, and Matterinna talking about that's so super important?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
I shook my head, trying to hide my own nervousness. "I have no clue, Illyanna."
Lucianna, always perceptive, gazed at me, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I know you're up to something with your dad, Max."
I grinned, feeling a little caught. "You know me so well, Lucianna."
"But what is it, Max?" Illyanna persisted, her excitement growing.
I reached over and ruffled her hair, trying to calm her down. "Just be patient. Our parents will make an announcement later." I reassured her, my voice steady, but inside, the anticipation bubbled up, making me wonder just what my mom had learned, and what secret my dad and I were hiding. The air was thick with mystery, and I could tell that something big was about to happen.
My dad, Antrodos, mom, Laussinna, and our housemaid, Matterinna, approached our table where Lucianna, Illyanna, and I were seated. A grin was playing at the corners of my dad's mouth, but one stern look from my mom silenced him. This was serious.
Laussinna's eyes were shimmering with unshed tears as she struggled to find the words. After a moment, she calmed herself, her voice gentle yet heavy with emotion. "I'm sorry, Max, Illyanna. There's something your father, Matterinna, and I knew but never wanted to tell you." Her face grew sad, her shame palpable.
I reached over and took her hand, trying to cheer her up. "You did all this for our happiness, right, Mom? To protect us from a cruel twist of fate?"
She wiped her tears, nodding. "Yes, Max, that's correct."
Lucianna and Illyanna exchanged confused glances. "What's going on?" they asked in unison, but no one seemed to hear them, the gravity of the situation holding us all in thrall.
My mom's eyes met mine, her voice tinged with worry. "Your father told me about your plans for adventure, about the path you've chosen. It will be costly, Max, always on the move." She grasped my hands, her fingers trembling. "Are you sure this path will be for the betterment of our family, for yourself?"
Her voice dropped to a whisper, full of fear and love. "Remember, Max, if you continue down the Dragon's Road, there's no turning back. The more you advance, the more draconic you'll become."
I stayed silent for a long, heavy moment, feeling the weight of her words. Finally, I spoke, my voice filled with determination yet tinged with uncertainty. "I'm not sure, Mom. But I know that my family and friends will help me. Together, we'll make sure I walk the right path."
We all knew that this was a turning point, a decision that would shape not just my future but the future of our family. The room was filled with a mix of fear, hope, and love, a complex tapestry woven by those closest to me. It was a moment I would never forget, a crossroads where I had chosen my path, with the support and concern of those I loved most.
My mom, Laussinna, looked at me, her eyes full of worry. "Max, do you really want to become a matured dragon one day?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I don't want that, none of us do. We don't want to lose you."
Her voice broke as she continued, "You and Illyanna are still my sweet little babies." Tears started to flow down her cheeks.
I felt a warmth in my heart as I realized how much my family loved me, how they were trying to keep me safe. In that moment, a spark of an idea lit up my mind.
"Mom, what about Alteration spells?" I asked, excitedly. "Could I learn a spell that lets me shift between human and dragon form? Maybe even find a permanent cure?"
Her eyes lit up, but she warned, "You'd have to master Alteration, Max."
I nodded, turning to my dad, Antrodos. "I'll do it, under your guidance, Dad."
He smiled, his eyes full of pride. "We'll train together, son, super hard."
Mom agreed but insisted we explain everything to Illyanna and ask her permission, as our plans meant traveling to unknown lands with many dangers. We all knew the risks, but we also knew it was our destiny.
I approached my energetic little sister, Illyanna. "Do you want us to leave Tarvernia and become traveling adventurers?" I asked her. "We'll see many wonders, but there will be dangers too."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, Max! But why are we doing this?"
I puffed out my chest, proud of our mission. "Dragon's Road is calling us, Illyanna. We have to save the world."
She shouted with joy, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Finally, I turned to our gentle and kind housemaid, Matterinna. "Will you come with us?"
She softly smiled, her voice filled with loyalty. "I'll follow you anywhere, Max. I'll guard our family with my life, and gather memories of distant lands filled with adventures."
I felt a swell of happiness knowing my entire family was with me. Together, we would embark on this journey, traveling adventurers on Dragon's Road, facing the destiny that awaited us.